DIRTY DANCING: THE DELUXE ANNIVERSARY EDITION

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25^th ANNIVERSARY CD PACKAGE PRESENTS ORIGINAL

12-SONG ALBUM, SOARING ON THE WINGS OF ORIGINAL CHART HITS “HUNGRY EYES,” “SHE’S LIKE THE WIND,” “(I’VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE” AND MORE!

BONUS FEATURES OF THIS SPECIAL FAN EDITION:

• Six ready-to-frame art cards with iconic movie images, plus a bumper sticker;

• New hardcover package with liner notes by executive producer Jimmy Ienner,

producers Michael Lloyd and Leon Medica, and producer-performers

Eric Carmen and Zappacosta

Available everywhere September 25, 2012, through RCA/Legacy

            Responding to the feedback from loyal fans around the world, Legacy Recordings presents DIRTY DANCING­: THE DELUXE ANNIVERSARY EDITION, which presents the original 12-song album of 1987, along with new bonus features.  This special commemorative project reflects Legacy’s direct survey of a portion of the millions of Dirty Dancing fans on Facebook who responded and wished to maintain the experience of the original release by showcasing the original running order of the album as it was first released, without bonus tracks.  This special fan edition CD package will be available everywhere September 25^th through RCA/Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT.

            DIRTY DANCING­: THE DELUXE ANNIVERSARY EDITION will contain a number of exciting additions specifically requested by the fans, starting with the package’s dedication to the movie’s star, the late Patrick Swayze (1952-2009).  The image-driven CD booklet contains six ready-to-frame art cards showing iconic images from the movie, plus a newly-designed bumper sticker.  Fans also voted on the CD cover image from four images proposed by Legacy, and overwhelmingly chose to retain the original “Lift” image.

            “From the birth, 25 years ago,” writes executive producer Jimmy Ienner, “to the never-ending success of the movie and the soundtracks, I’m very proud of all my great producers and the extremely talented artists that contributed so much to the very satisfying roller­coaster ride called  Dirty Dancing.  I’m also very indebted to anyone involved in any way on the music and the film sides of this wonderful journey.  Lastly, but no less important, to the devoted fans around the world for the unbelievable continued support.  Keep carrying the watermelons and enjoying the lifts.”

            The accompanying booklet includes behind-the-scenes liner notes written by the song producers, starting with Jimmy Ienner.  The stellar producers themselves then offer their own thoughts, including:

• Eric Carmen, singer and producer of “Hungry Eyes”;
• Leon Medica, producer of “Where Are You Tonight?” (sung by Tom Johnston);
• Alfie Zappacosta, singer and producer of “Overload”; and
• Michael Lloyd, producer of “She’s Like the Wind” (written and sung by Patrick Swayze), “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” sung by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, and “Yes” sung by Merry Clayton;

            (Note: Eric Carmen and Zappacosta served double duty as both producers and performers of their respective tracks.)

            2012 marks the 25^th anniversary of Dirty Dancing, named one of the Top 10 Date Movies of all time by an E! Entertainment Television poll, with worldwide box office sales of more than $214 million since its opening in 1987.  Worldwide CD sales of the best-selling original RCA soundtrack album are in excess of 42 million copies, 11-times RIAA platinum in the U.S. alone. 

            The Dirty Dancing soundtrack album soared on the wings of the original chart hits “Hungry Eyes” (Billboard Hot 100 #4); “She’s Like the Wind” (Hot 100 #3); and the Grammy®, Oscar, and Golden Globe Award-winning “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” (Hot 100 #1).  Those three songs were among the six original new songs produced for the soundtrack album, which spent 96 weeks on the Billboard 200 albums chart spanning 1987-’88-’89, including 18 weeks at #1.  The other four original tracks are:

·      “Yes” performed by Merry Clayton (produced by Michael Lloyd);

·      “Overload” performed, co-written and produced by Zappacosta; and

·      “Where Are You Tonight? ” performed by Tom Johnston.

            The Dirty Dancing soundtrack album also included five well-chosen pop classics that were featured in the movie.  Those five hits, all dating from the 1950s and ’60s, are:

• “Be My Baby” by the Ronettes (Hot 100 #2, 1963);
• “Stay” by Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs (Hot 100 #1, 1960);
• “Hey Baby” by Bruce Channel (Hot 100 #1, 1962);
• “Love Is Strange / Mickey & Sylvia (Hot 100 #11, 1957); and
• “In The Still Of The Night” by the Five Satins (Hot 100 #24, 1956).

            The final track was recorded by former RCA group the Blow Monkeys from England, their cover of Lesley Gore’s 1964 hit, “You Don’t Own Me.” 

            A cornerstone of ’80s pop culture, Dirty Dancing reflected back on the early-’60s culture of summer vacation life at a resort in New York’s Catskill Mountains (although it was filmed on location in Virginia and North Carolina).  With its heavenly mix of generation gap melodrama, well-programmed rock, R&B, Latin and pre-disco music, coming-of-age sexuality among its teens, and of course plenty of laughs and “dirty dancing,” the movie has stood the test of time over the last quarter-century.

            Dirty Dancing starred 27-year old Jennifer Grey (in only her sixth movie role, her follow-up to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off in 1986) as young, naive “Baby” Houseman; 25-year old Patrick Swayze (only four years into his movie career, in between Red Dawn, which co-starred Grey, and Steel Dawn) as the sultry dance instructor Johnny Castle; and veteran character actor Jerry Orbach (four years before he began his 13-year stint on “Law & Order”) as Baby’s father, Dr. Jake Houseman.

           

            DIRTY DANCING­: THE DELUXE ANNIVERSARY EDITION (RCA/Legacy 88725 43528 2, originally issued August 1987, as RCA Victor 6408)  Selections: 1. (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life / Love Theme performed by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes • 2. Be My Baby / The Ronettes • 3. She's Like The Wind / Patrick Swayze (featuring Wendy Fraser) • 4. Hungry Eyes / Eric Carmen • 5. Stay / Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs • 6. Yes / Merry Clayton • 7. You Don’t Own Me / The Blow Monkeys • 8. Hey Baby / Bruce Channel • 9. Overload / Zappacosta • 10. Love Is Strange / Mickey & Sylvia • 11. Where Are You Tonight? / Tom Johnston • 12. In The Still Of The Night / The Five Satins.

SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK AND BILL BANFIELD PRESENT “SYMPHONY 10: AFFIRMATIONS FOR A NEW WORLD”

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NEW ORCHESTRAL COLLABORATION SET FOR HARRIS THEATER IN CHICAGO, OCTOBER 4, 2012

September 24, 2012 (New York, NY)  Iconic and Grammy Award-nominated a cappella ensemble SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK will present their first ever orchestral collaboration, “Symphony 10:  Affirmations for a New World,” with music composed by William C. Banfield and lyrics written by the ensemble members:  Ysaye M. Barnwell, Carol Maillard, Nitanju Bolade Casel, Aisha Kahlil, and Louise Robinson.  The performance will be conducted by Banfield, in collaboration with the Sphinx Virtuosi (America’s most celebrated and influential African-American and Latino youth orchestra ensemble), and The Chicago Children’s Choir (directed by Josephine Lee), at the prestigious Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Millennium Park, Chicago, IL, on Thursday, October 4, 2012 at 7:30 PM.

In addition, to “Symphony 10: Affirmations for a New World, the Harris Theater engagement will also feature individual performance sets by SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK and the Sphinx Virtuosi.

“Symphony 10: Affirmations for a New World,” was co-commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra (Christoph Eschenbach, Music Director), and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC; the Minnesota Orchestra, (Osmo Vänskä, Music Director), Minneapolis, MN; and the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Chicago, IL.  The work premiered with the National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Thomas Wilkins and the Morgan State Choir, (directed by Eric Conway), at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. The Minnesota Orchestra presented the work at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, which was conducted by Mark Russell Smith with the Vocal Essence Choir (directed by Philip Brunelle).  Both were presented in late April 2012.

SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK and Banfield began collaborating on “Symphony 10:  Affirmations for a New World,” five years ago. The final thirty minute work comprises five movements including:  “A Higher Note” by Aisha Kahlil, ”Dreams,” by Carol Maillard, “The Day the World Awoke,” by Nitanju Bolade Casel, “Discourse of Change,” by Ysaye M. Barnwell and “Yes,” by Louise Robinson. 

“Symphony 10:  Affirmations for a New World”, is a labor of love and one of the most challenging and adventurous projects we've undertaken as a group," stated Ysaye Barnwell.  "It has been a dream to one day blend our unique sound, artistry, and lyrics with a symphony orchestra, and we're very fortunate to have fulfilled it by partnering with such a gifted and talented composer as Bill Banfield,” she added.  “We thank the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, the National Symphony Orchestra and the Minnesota Orchestra, for co-commissioning, “Symphony 10:  Affirmations for a New World”, and we are delighted to be performing it in Chicago.”

Banfield cited some of the musical inspiration and concept for the score by offering, "Symphony 10:  Affirmations for a New World," affirms every human power we have:  love, imagination, fear and courage, will to change, dreaming, to ask the question and to touch someone else's soul.  It is stepping out as the text asks for ‘a higher note,’ to redefine the traditions in our art that need new fueling.”

For more information regarding tickets, visit: www.harristheaterchicago.org or call 312.334.7777

SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK

www.sweethoneyintherock.org

Organica Music Group Recording Artist Margo Rey Releases Her New CD “Habit” And Prepares For Her Upcoming National Holiday Tour With Dave Koz

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September 11, 2012, Beverly Hills, CA: Organica Music Group is pleased to announce the release of Margo Rey’s highly anticipated CD, Habit. The album features Margo’s new Top 20 charting single “Between Us,” as well as her recent hit song “Let the Rain.” The latter, co-written by Ms. Rey and the legendary John Oates, remained on the charts for an astonishing 21 weeks, making it Billboard’s “Hot Shot Debut” and additionally earning her kudos in the magazine’s “Bubbling Under” column. The duo also teamed up on the stunning cut “Saturn Returns.” Oates sings on both tracks and he provides an ideal complement to Rey’s powerful yet nuanced vocals. Listeners closest to it claim that Habit is its own brand of sonic luxury and Rey emerges as a force of nature — in heels no less. 

In addition, Margo is preparing for her upcoming national holiday tour with Dave Koz, which is certain to please her diverse and loyal fan base. Based on her track record, Rey’s following is understandable. In less than a two-year span she has delivered five hits in diverse genres that include Adult Contemporary as well as Dance and Pop. She also charted two #1 Dance hits and if that’s not enough, Rey also generated an original Christmas hit.

The holiday tour kicks off on November 23^rd with all dates found below. The Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour will be a high-energy tour featuring not only Margo Rey, but David Benoit, Javier Colon and Shelia E. Koz comments, “It never ceases to blow me away, how much people love holiday songs—as evidenced by our 15^th anniversary of this tour! This year especially, we’ll try to fit in as many favorites as possible and add our own unique touches along the way.”

Reflecting on the direction of Habit Margo explains: “I wanted something ‘lo-fi’ as opposed to the cloned sounds of today’s pop culture environment. I needed my music to sound like me rather than the equipment it was recorded on. Plus, I feel a huge affinity — love affair even — for the singer/songwriter era of the seventies and eighties.” Ms. Rey employed a technique as simple as it is novel in today’s recording environment. She gathered extraordinary musicians in a room and they recorded (equally extraordinary) music together. If that doesn’t sound radical, it should — and Habit underscores the point. It’s a CD that never leaves the human vibe behind. It revels in it and, if anything, deepens it.

Margo has produced a collection of songs that reverberates with a gamut of emotions. Greed, love, lust, doubt, remorse, obsession and crazed vulnerability are all present — in abundance. “I hope listeners respond to the penetrating pulse in each of these songs. They’re an exploration of my contradictory feelings over the past two years.

Roll all of those emotional tangents into a set list and you have, well, something that I hope will become a “Habit.”

The album unleashes thirteen songs, all of which are original. One exception is a gorgeous cover of The Zombie’s hit, “She’s Not There.” If you think you’ve heard the song before, think again. This version has more down-under burn than most people can handle. But it gets better. Ms. Rey will be on tour. So hang on. Or, better yet, let yourself go.www.MargoRey.com

Habit was recorded and mixed at Rusk LA by Elton Ahi, mastered by Yossi Shaked, produced and arranged by Margo Rey in collaboration with Elton Ahi and Chris Wabich.

Organica Music Group is a boutique media company with four divisions that include:  music; stand-up comedy; publishing; television and film. OMG’s distributor is Universal Music Group. Michael Blakey serves as President and has worked with top artists around the world, receiving over 60 gold and platinum albums and 5 Grammy nominations.

Tour Dates for Dave Kozand Friends Christmas Tour 2012

Includes special guests David Benoit, Javier Colon , Shelia E. and Margo Rey

11/23  Sarasota, FL                 Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

11/24  Clearwater, FL              Ruth Eckerd Hall

11/25  West Palm Beach, FL     Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Arts

11/27  Melbourne, FL              King Center of the Performing Arts

11/28  Naples, FL                   Philharmonic Center for the Arts

11/30 Atlanta, GA                   Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center

12/1 Durham, NC                   The Carolina Theatre of Durham

12/3  N. Bethesda, MD            The Music Center at Strathmore

12/4  Newport News, VA          Ferguson Center for the Arts Concert Hall

12/5  Morristown, NJ               Mayo Center for the Performing Arts

12/6  Cleveland, OH                Playhouse Square – Palace Theatre

12/7  Columbus, OH                Palace Theatre

12/8  Chicago, OH                  Chicago Theatre

12/10  Denver, CO                  Paramount Theatre

12/11  Colorado Springs, CO    Pikes Peak Center

*12/12 Ft. Worth, TX              Bass Performance Hall

*12/13 El Paso, TX                 Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center

12/14  Santa Rosa, CA             Wells Fargo Center for the Arts

12/15  Rancho Mirage, CA        Agua Caliente Casino Resort and Spa

12/16  Los Angeles, CA            Nokia Theatre L.A. Live

12/18  Las Vegas, NV               The Smith Center for the Performing Arts

12/19  Mesa, AZ                      Mesa Arts Center – Ikeda Theatre

12/20  Santa Barbara, CA          Granada Theatre

12/21  Cerritos, CA                  Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts

12/22  Cerritos, CA                  Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts

12/23  San Francisco, CA         Warfield Theatre

*Denotes that Shelia E will not be present

FIRST EVER JOHN LENNON DOUBLE FANTASY BERMUDA TRIBUTE CHARITY CONCERT SEPTEMBER 21

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The Event Featuring Heather Nova, Maxi Priest, and Roy Young, Also is the Multi-Media Launch of

The Book and CD ‘Lennon Bermuda’ and a Double Fantasy

Sculpture by Bermudian Artist Graham Foster, Commemorates

The Ex-Beatle’s 1980 Summer Trip to Bermuda, Which

Inspired the Songs of His Landmark ‘Double Fantasy’ Album

Thirty two years after John Lennon’s sailing trip to Bermuda sparked the creative renaissance that inspired the final album released in his lifetime; the island celebrates the late legend’s enduring spirit and vision with the “John Lennon Double Fantasy Bermuda Tribute,” an all-star charity concert named for that landmark recording.

The show, which takes place at the Bermuda Botanical Gardens on Friday, September 21 at 8 p.m., will feature a wide array of performers, including Heather Nova, Maxi Priest, Biggie Irie, Judie Tzuke, Roy Young, Chewstick, Rachel Brown, Joy Barnum, Paul Muggleton, Bailey & Tallula Tzuke, Robert "Sai" Emery, Christina Frith, Jonathan Frith, Bailey Outerbridge, Steve Easton, Michael Cacy and others. Net proceeds from the concert will benefit Bermuda Charities

Since 1982, the world has celebrated September 21 as the “International Day of Peace.”

The event also marks the release of several commemorative multi-media items, including the star-studded Lennon Bermuda CD and launch of a Lennon Bermuda book.

The double CD includes 32 Lennon and Lennon-McCartney classics by many of the artists participating in the concert, in addition to Paul Carrack and Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono. The project, which retails for $20.00 and will also be available on the Lennon Bermuda website (www.doublefantasybermuda.com), includes a bonus video of “All You Need Is Love.”

Visitors to the John Lennon Double Fantasy Bermuda Tribute are also invited to view the new Lennon sculpture (also called “Double Fantasy”) outside the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda in the Bermuda Botanical Gardens. It was created by Bermudian artist Graham Foster, who is best known for his huge mural “The Hall of History” inside the Commissioner's House at the Bermuda National Museum in Dockyard. The two-story, 1000 square foot interior mural depicts five centuries of Bermudian history and took approximately 7000 hours (over 3 years) to complete. On November 25th 2009, Her Majesty The Queen, officially opened the Hall of History mural and on this occasion was presented with a painting by the artist.

The sculpture was unveiled in May as part of the museum’s “Imagine The Art of John Lennon” art exhibit.  Foster’s iconic image of Lennon also appears on the Double Fantasy Bermuda T-shirt, available for $20 at the event and in the shop section of the website. 

On August 22, PRS For Music, the collecting society representing 90,000 songwriters, composers and music composers, became an official sponsor of the Bermuda tribute concert. PRS for Music has been present in Bermuda for a number of years promoting the value of copyright and raising awareness about the importance of music licensing which ensures that creators of musical works can earn a living. A team from PRS for Music are working with government departments, business leaders, music users, broadcasters and key stakeholders to discuss copyright issues, listen to concerns and understand what work needs to be done to improve the awareness of the requirement for music licenses in Bermuda and to highlight the continued importance of the Bermudan music industry.

Karen Buse, Director of International from PRS for Music, says, “We are delighted to be supporting such a fantastic event and tribute to one of the greatest musicians and British songwriters the world has ever known and enjoyed. We felt this was a great opportunity to be involved in something special which brings local and international music talent together and puts live music in Bermuda on the world map.”

The Lennon-Bermuda story is a remarkable chapter in the singer’s final year. In June 1980, Lennon left Newport and became a passenger on the Megan Jayne for a five  day sailing voyage to Bermuda that would change his life. Prior to his adventure to Bermuda, fans the world over had begun to worry about Lennon, as his drive for writing and creativity lacked vigor. The pressure to produce quality music, the pressure of his family and troubles got the best of him and his creative energy for songwriting suffered. Eventually the pressure and the reclusive lifestyle led to a self-imposed hiatus—a period he chronicled on Double Fantasy songs like “Watching the Wheels.”

During this time, Lennon started to further explore his lifelong fascination with sailing. Lennon immersed himself in the culture of sailing, learning the ropes and even acquiring a small boat for himself. After consulting with Takashi Yoshikawa, then the leading authority on Ki, Lennon was told to sail to the southeast to overcome the negative shadows casting over him.

After agonizing days at sea with twenty-foot thrashing waves, forceful winds and ultimately facing the threat of life or death, Lennon arrived in Bermuda a different man from the one who left Newport. From seasickness to being the captain at one point and the uncertainty of life, Lennon later cited the journey to Bermuda as a life altering and inspirational experience that was a major part of the catalyst for the end of his five year song writing block.

Arriving to Bermuda felt like an accomplishment, and spotting land was like seeing the gates finally open before him and leaving the journey behind them. The combination of the prospect of death with the sun and the sand inspired new music and lyrics that marked the revival of Lennon’s creative spirit. Lennon spent the following weeks with passion and enthusiasm as he wrote his final songs. Double Fantasy, his first recording in five years, was named after a flower he observed in Bermuda. He returned home not only with new songs but with a new vision and enthusiasm for life itself.

John Lennon’s legacy has been honored numerous times by musicians throughout the world, but the Double Fantasy Bermuda Tribute—the concert, statue, book and CD--is the first official celebration of his intimate connection to the famous island.

For more information please visit the official website:  http://doublefantasybermuda.com